Disinfecting compositions and processes for disinfecting surfaces

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the disinfection of surfaces with a disinfecting composition comprising from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide, and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions which can beused to disinfect and clean various surfaces including animate surfaces(e.g., human skin, mouth and the like) and inanimate surfaces including,but not limited to, hard surfaces like walls, tiles, table tops, glass,bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes as well as fabrics, clothes,carpets and the like.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial/antibacterial compositions include materials which havethe ability to disinfect. It is generally recognised that a disinfectingmaterial greatly reduces or even eliminates the microorganisms, e.g.,bacteria, existing on a surface. For example compositions based onhalogen containing compounds like hypochlorite, or on quaternarycompounds, have been extensively described in the art for disinfectingpurpose. Compositions comprising a peracid are also known asdisinfecting compositions.

However, a drawback associated to such disinfecting compositions basedon peracids is that they may damage surfaces onto which they arecontacted to perform their disinfecting action. Indeed such disinfectingcompositions based on peracids are perceived by the consumers as beingnot safe to various surfaces including hard-surfaces and fabrics,especially delicate fabrics like silk, wool and the like.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to providedisinfecting compositions that deliver improved safety to the surfacestreated therewith while not compromising on the disinfection performancedelivered onto said surfaces even when used upon high dilutedconditions.

It has now been found that the above object can be achieved by providinga composition comprising from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the totalcomposition of hydrogen peroxide and an antimicrobial essential oil, ormixtures thereof. More particularly, it has been found that thecompositions of the present invention comprising hydrogen peroxide andsaid antimicrobial essential oil, deliver improved safety to the surfacetreated therewith, while providing also excellent disinfection on cleansurfaces, i.e. surfaces being free of any organic and/or inorganicsoils, even at high dilution levels, i.e. up to dilution levels of from1:100 (composition:water).

Accordingly, the compositions according to the present invention aresuitable for disinfecting all types of surfaces including animatesurfaces (e.g., human skin and/or mouth when used as an oral preparationor toothpaste) and inanimate surfaces. Indeed, this technology isparticularly suitable in hard-surfaces applications as well as inlaundry applications, e.g., as a laundry detergent or laundry additivein a so called "soaking mode", "through the wash mode", or even as alaundry pretreater in a "pretreatment mode". More particularly, thecompositions according to the present invention are suitable to be usedon delicate surfaces including those surfaces in contact with foodand/or babies in a safe manner. Indeed, when using the compositionsaccording to the present invention in diluted conditions, the amount ofchemical residues left onto a surface disinfected therewith is reduced.Thus, it may be not necessary to rinse for example a hard-surface afterthe compositions of the present invention have been applied thereto indiluted conditions.

An advantage of the present invention is that excellent disinfection isprovided on a broad range of bacterial pure strains including Grampositive and Gram negative bacterial strains and more resistantmicro-organisms like fungi.

Another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is thatbeside the disinfection properties delivered, good cleaning is alsoprovided, especially in the embodiment of the present invention wherethe compositions herein further comprise a surfactant and/or a solvent.

Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention isthat they may be provided in different forms, e.g., in a liquid formpackaged in a conventional detergent bottle, or in a sprayable orfoamable form packaged in a spray/foam dispenser, or in the form ofwipes incorporating such a composition, or in a non-liquid form (e.g.gel, pasty form or solid form).

Representative of the prior art is for example WO88/00795 whichdiscloses liquid disinfecting compositions comprising a compoundselected from the group of organic acids, perborates, peracids and theirsalts, together with a quaternary ammonium salt and an essential oil. Nohydrogen peroxide is disclosed in the disinfecting compositions therein,let alone levels thereof.

EP-B-288 689 discloses a liquid for hard-surfaces comprisingantimicrobial effective amounts of pine oil and at least one oil solubleorganic acid. No hydrogen peroxide is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,587 discloses aqueous antimicrobial compositionswhich can be used to sanitise, disinfect, and clean hard-surfaces. Moreparticularly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,587 discloses aqueous compositions (pH1 to 12) comprising essential oils (0.02% to 5%), which exhibitantimicrobial properties efficacy such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil,clove oil and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agentsufficient to form an aqueous solution or dispersion of said essentialoils in a water carrier. No hydrogen peroxide is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a disinfecting composition comprisingfrom 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxideand an antimicrobial essential oil, or mixtures thereof.

The present invention further encompasses a process for disinfecting asurface wherein a disinfecting composition according to the presentinvention, is applied onto said surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disinfecting compositions:

The disinfecting compositions according to the present inventioncomprise from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogenperoxide, and an antimicrobial essential oil.

The compositions according to the present invention may be formulatedeither as liquids or non-liquids (e.g., gel, pasty form or solid formlike powder or granular form). In the case where the compositions areformulated as solids, they will be mixed with an appropriate solvent,typically water, before use. The liquid compositions herein may beaqueous compositions or even non-aqueous compositions. Liquidcompositions are preferred herein for convenience of use.

As an essential element the compositions according to the presentinvention comprise hydrogen peroxide.

It is believed that the presence of hydrogen peroxide, in thecompositions of the present invention contribute to the disinfectionproperties of said compositions. Indeed, hydrogen peroxide may attackthe vital function of the microorganism cells, for example, it mayinhibit the assembling of ribosomes units within the cytoplasm of themicroorganism cells. Also hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer thatgenerates hydroxyl free radicals which attack proteins and nucleicacids. Furthermore, the presence of hydrogen peroxide provides strongstain removal benefits which are particularly noticeable for example inlaundry and hard surfaces applications.

The compositions herein comprise from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the totalcomposition of hydrogen peroxide, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, and morepreferably from 1% to 8%.

As a second essential ingredient, the compositions according to thepresent invention comprise an antimicrobial essential oil, or mixturesthereof. Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.003% byweight of the total composition of said antimicrobial essential oil, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.006% to 10%, more preferably from0.2% to 4% and most preferably from 0.2% to 2%.

Suitable antimicrobial essential oils to be used in the compositionsherein are those essential oils which exhibit antimicrobial activity. Itis speculated that said antimicrobial essential oils act as proteinsdenaturing agents. Said antimicrobial oils contribute to the safetyprofile of the compositions of the present invention when used todisinfect any surface. A further advantage of said antimicrobialessential oils is that they impart pleasant odor to the disinfectingcompositions of the present invention without the need of adding aperfume. Indeed, the disinfecting compositions according to the presentinvention deliver not only excellent disinfecting properties on cleansurfaces to be disinfected but also good scent while being safe to thesurfaces.

Suitable antimicrobial essential oils to be used herein include, but arenot limited to, the oils obtained from thyme, lemongrass, citrus,lemons, oranges, anise, clove, aniseed, cinnamon, geranium, roses, mint,peppermint, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor,sandalwood, cedar, rosmarin, pine, vervain fleagrass, lemongrass,ratanhiae and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred to be used hereinare eucalyptus oil, thyme oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil,eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, mint oil and mixtures thereof.

It has now been found that the compositions of the present inventioncomprising from 0.1% to 15% by weight of hydrogen peroxide and saidantimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof deliver improved safetyon surfaces, e.g., on hard-surfaces and on fabrics like silk, wool andthe like, while delivering excellent disinfection performance on cleansurfaces even when used under highly diluted conditions as compared tothe same composition with a peracid instead of said hydrogen peroxide.

An advantage associated to the present invention is that when using saidcompositions to disinfect colored fabrics, the color damage is alsoreduced while delivering excellent disinfection performance on saidfabrics, even when used under highly diluted conditions. Indeed, thecolor change and/or decoloration observed when treating colored fabricswith a composition according to the present invention comprisinghydrogen peroxide and said antimicrobial essential oil or mixturesthereof, is reduced, while delivering excellent disinfection performanceon said fabrics even when used under highly diluted conditions, ascompared to the color change and/or decoloration observed when using thesame composition but with a peracid instead of said hydrogen peroxide.

Surface safety may be evaluated on surfaces like fabrics by measuringthe tensile strength of said fabrics. The tensile strength of a fabricmay be measured by employing the Tensile Strength method. This methodconsists of measuring the tensile strength of a given fabric bystretching said fabric until it breaks. The force, expressed in Kg,necessary to break the fabric is the "Ultimate Tensile Stress" and maybe measured with "The Stress-Strain INSTRON Machine".

Excellent disinfection is obtained with the compositions of the presentinventions on a variety of microorganisms including Gram positivebacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram negative bacteria likePseudomonas aeroginosa as well as on fungi like Candida albicans presenton clean surfaces, i.e., any surface being substantially free of organicand/or inorganic soils, even if used in highly diluted conditions.

Disinfection properties of a composition may be measured by thebactericidal activity of said composition. A test method suitable toevaluate the bactericidal activity of a composition on clean surfaces isdescribed in European Standard, prEN 1040, CEN/TC 216 N 78, datedNovember 1995 issued by the European committee for standardisation,Brussels. European Standard, prEN 1040, CEN/TC 216 N 78, specifies atest method and requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of adisinfecting composition. The test is passed if the bacterical coloniesforming units (cfu) are reduced from a 10⁷ cfu (initial level) to a 10²cfu (final level after contact with the disinfecting product), i.e. a10⁵ reduction of the viability is necessary. The compositions accordingto the present invention pass this test under clean conditions, even ifused in highly diluted conditions.

Another test method suitable to evaluate the bactericidal activity ofthe present compositions on clean surfaces is AFNOR T72-190® andT72-301®

In the preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the presentinvention are aqueous liquid cleaning compositions. Said aqueouscompositions have preferably a pH as is of not more than 12.0, morepreferably from 2 to 6, and most preferably from 3 to 5. The pH of thecompositions can be adjusted by using organic acids like citric acid,succinic acid, acetic acid, aspartic acid, lactic acid and the like, orinorganic acids, or alkalinising agents.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprisesurfactants known to those skilled in the art including nonionic,anionic, cationic, amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactants. Saidsurfactants are desirable as they contribute to the cleaning performanceof the compositions herein.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 50% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 30% and more preferably from0.1% to 25%.

Accordingly, the compositions of the present invention may preferablycomprise an amphoteric surfactant, or mixtures thereof. Suitableamphoteric surfactants to be used herein include betaine andsulphobetaine surfactants, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof. Saidbetaine or sulphobetaine surfactants are preferred herein as theycontribute to the disinfecting properties of the compositions herein.Indeed, they help disinfection by increasing the permeability of thebacterial cell wall, thus allowing other active ingredients to enter thecell.

Furthermore, due to the mild action profile of said betaine orsulphobetaine surfactants, the compositions herein comprising them maybe particularly suitable for the cleaning of delicate surfaces, e.g.delicate laundry or hard-surfaces in contact with food and/or babies.Betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants are also extremely mild to theskin and/or other surfaces to be treated.

Suitable betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants to be used in thecompositions of the present invention are the betaine/sulphobetaine andbetaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic andacidic groups which form an inner salt giving the molecule both cationicand anionic hydrophilic groups over a broad range of pH values. Somecommon examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference.Preferred betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants herein are according tothe formula ##STR1## wherein R1 is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 12 to14, wherein R2 and R3 contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and preferably 1carbon atom, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to6, and more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the group consisting ofcarboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3radicals is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.

Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C2-C18alkyl dimethyl betaine such as coconutbetaine and C10-C16 alkyl dimethylbetaine such as laurylbetaine.

Coconutbetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the tradename of Amonyl 265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available fromAlbright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®.

Other suitable amphoteric surfactants to be used herein include amineoxides or mixtures thereof. Amine oxides are preferred herein as theycontribute to the disinfecting properties of the compositions herein.Indeed, they help disinfection by disrupting the cell wall/membrane ofthe bacteria, thus allowing other antimicrobial ingredients to enter thecell and for example attack the inner part of the cell.

Suitable amine oxides to be used herein have the following formula R₁ R₂R₃ NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated linearor branched hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.Suitable amine oxides to be used according to the present invention areamine oxides having the following formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO wherein R1 is ahydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from6 to 20, more preferably from 6 to 14 and most preferably from 8 to 10,and wherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted,linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 4 carbonatoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably aremethyl groups. R1 may be a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbonchain.

Preferred amine oxides for use herein are for instance natural blendC8-C10 amine oxides as well as C12-C16 amine oxides commerciallyavailable from Hoechst.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention where thecompositions herein are particularly suitable for the disinfection of ahard-surface, the surfactant is typically a surfactant system comprisingan amine oxide and a betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant, preferably ina weight ratio of amine oxide to betaine or sulphobetaine of 2:1 to100:1, more preferably of 6:1 to 100:1 and most preferably 10:1 to 50:1.The use of such a surfactant system in the compositions herein suitablefor disinfecting a hard-surface, provides effective cleaning performanceand provides shine on the cleaned surfaces, i.e., the amount offilming/streaking left on the cleaned surface that has been treated withsaid compositions is minimal.

The compositions herein may also preferably comprise an anionicsurfactant or mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable anionicsurfactants to be used herein include water-soluble salts or acids ofthe formula ROSO₃ M wherein R is preferably a C₆ -C₂₄ hydrocarbyl,preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₈ -C₂₀ alkyl component,more preferably a C₈ -C₁₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation,e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), orammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, andtrimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such astetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternaryammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein includealkyl-diphenyl-ether-sulphonates and alkyl-carboxylates. Other anionicsurfactants can include salts (including, for example, sodium,potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉ -C₂₀ linearalkylbenzenesulfonates, C₈ -C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates,C₈ -C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared bysulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates,e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C₁₄₋₁₆ methyl ester sulfonates;acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenolethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates,isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate(especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂ -C₁₈ monoesters) diesters ofsulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆ -C₁₄ diesters),acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfatesof alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds beingdescribed below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(k) CH₂ COO-M⁺wherein R is a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is asoluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acidsare also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acidsand hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents"(Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of suchsurfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678,issued Dec. 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 throughColumn 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants for use in the compositions herein are theC8-C16 alkyl sulfonates, C8-C16 alkyl sulfates, C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylatedsulfates (e.g., C8-C16 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates), and mixturesthereof. Such anionic surfactants are preferred herein as it has beenfound that they contribute to the disinfecting properties of adisinfecting compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide and/or anantimicrobial essential oil. For example, C8-C16 alkyl sulfate acts bydisorganizing the bacteria cell menbrane, inhibiting enzymaticactivities, interrupting the cellular transport and/or denaturingcellular proteins. Indeed, it is speculated that the improveddisinfecting performance associated with the addition of an anionicsurfactant, especially a C8-C16 alkyl sulfonate, a C8-C16 alkyl sulfateand/or a C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, in for example a compositionof the present invention, is likely due to multiple mode of attack ofsaid surfactant against the bacteria. Thus, another aspect of thepresent invention is the use of an anionic surfactant, especially aC8-C16 alkyl sulfonate, a C8-C16 alkyl sulfate and/or a C8-C16 alkylalkoxylated sulfate, in a disinfecting composition comprising a hydrogenperoxide and/or an antimicrobial essential oil, to improve thedisinfecting properties of said composition on gram negative and/or grampositive bacteria.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein are fatty alcoholethoxylates and/or propoxylates which are commercially available with avariety of fatty alcohol chain lengths and a variety of ethoxylationdegrees. Indeed, the HLB values of such alkoxylated nonionic surfactantsdepend essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, the natureof the alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation. Surfactantcatalogues are available which list a number of surfactants, includingnonionics, together with their respective HLB values.

Particularly suitable for use herein as nonionic surfactants arehydrophobic nonionic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilicbalance) below 16, preferably below 15 and more preferably below 14.Those hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have been found to provide goodgrease cutting properties.

Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants to be used in thecompositions according to the present invention are surfactants havingan HLB below 16 and being according to the formula RO-(C2H₄ O)_(n)(C₃ H₆O)_(m) H, wherein R is a C₆ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₆ to C₂₈ alkylbenzene chain, and wherein n+m is from 0 to 20 and n is from 0 to 15 andm is from 0 to 20, preferably n+m is from 1 to 15 and, n and m are from0.5 to 15, more preferably n+m is from 1 to 10 and, n and m are from 0to 10. The preferred R chains for use herein are the C₈ to C₂₂ alkylchains. Accordingly, suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants for useherein are Dobanol ^(R) 91-2.5 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C9 and C₁₁alkyl chains, n is 2.5 and m is 0), or Lutensol ^(R) TO3 (HLB=8; R is aC₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Lutensol ^(R) AO3 (HLB=8; R isa mixture of C₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Tergitol^(R) 25L3 (HLB=7.7; R is in the range of C₁₂ to C₁₅ alkyl chain length,n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^(R) 23-3 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C₁₂and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^(R) 23-2 (HLB=6.2;R is a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0), orDobanol ^(R) 45-7 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C₁₄ and C₁₅ alkyl chains,n is 7 and m is 0) Dobanol ^(R) 23-6.5 (HLB=11.9; R is a mixture of C₁₂and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 6.5 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^(R) 25-7(HLB=12; R is a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0),or Dobanol ^(R) 91-5 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkylchains, n is 5 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^(R) 91-6 (HLB=12.5; R is amixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 6 and m is 0), or Dobanol ^(R)91-8 (HLB=13.7; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 8 and mis 0), Dobanol ^(R) 91-10 (HLB=14.2; R is a mixture of C₉ to C₁₁ alkylchains, n is 10 and m is 0), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein areDobanol ^(R) 91-2.5 , or Lutensol ^(R) TO3, or Lutensol ^(R) AO3, orTergitol ^(R) 25L3, or Dobanol ^(R) 23-3, or Dobanol ^(R) 23-2, ormixtures thereof. These Dobanol^(R) surfactants are commerciallyavailable from SHELL. These Lutensol^(R) surfactants are commerciallyavailable from BASF and these Tergitol ^(R) surfactants are commerciallyavailable from UNION CARBIDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6-C20 conventional soaps(alkali metal salt of a C6-C20 fatty acid, preferably sodium salts).

The compositions according to the present invention may comprise aspreferred optional ingredients further antimicrobial ingredients thatcontribute to the antimicrobial activity of compositions of the presentinvention. Such antimicrobial ingredients include parabens like ethylparaben, propyl paraben, methyl paraben, glutaraldehyde or mixturesthereof.

The compositions herein may further comprise a chelating agent as apreferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents may be any ofthose known to those skilled in the art such as the ones selected fromthe group comprising phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonatechelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, biodegradablechelating agents like ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, ormixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein includeetidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylene-diphosphonic acid (HEDP)), and/oralkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonates.

Suitable amino phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein includeamino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates),nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylenephosphonates, and/or diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents to be used herein arediethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.

These phosphonate/amino phosphonate chelating agents may be presenteither in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some orall of their acid functionalities. Such phosphonate/amino phosphonatechelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under thetrade name DEQUEST®.

Substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents to be used herein includehydroxypiridine-N-oxide or a derivative thereof.

Suitable hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be usedaccording to the present invention are according to the followingformula: ##STR2## wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the followinggroups oxygen, --CHO, --OH, --(CH2)n--COOH, wherein n is an integer offrom 0 to 20, preferably of from 0 to 10 and more preferably is 0, andwherein Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly particularly preferredhydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be used herein is2-hydroxy pyridine N-oxide.

Hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof may be commerciallyavailable from Sigma.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also beuseful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issuedMay 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acidform are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth,ammonium or substitutes ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof.Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acids, especially the (S,S) isomer havebeen extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987 toHartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acid is, forinstance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from PalmerResearch Laboratories. Ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid isparticularly suitable to be used in the compositions of the presentinvention.

Suitable amino carboxylate chelating agents useful herein includeethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates,diethylene triamine pentoacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotri-acetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates,triethylenetetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both intheir acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substitutedammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable to be used herein arediethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA), propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for instance, commercially availablefrom BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methyl glycine di-aceticacid (MGDA).

Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein includes malonicacid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixturesthereof.

Said chelating agents, especially phosphonate chelating agents likediethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates, are particularlypreferred in the compositions according to the present invention as theyhave been found to further contribute to the disinfecting properties ofhydrogen peroxide. Thus, another aspect of the present invention is theuse of a chelating agent, especially a phosphonate chelating agent likediethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate, in a disinfectingcomposition comprising hydrogen peroxide, to improve the disinfectingproperties of said composition on gram negative and/or gram positivebacteria.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 5% by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 3% by weight and morepreferably from 0.002% to 1.5%.

The compositions herein may comprise a radical scavenger as a preferredoptional ingredient. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein includethe well-known substituted mono and di hydroxy benzenes and derivativesthereof, alkyl- and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferredradical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene(BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butyl hydroquinone(DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butyl-hydroxyanysole (BHA), p-hydroxy-anysol, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxy benzoicacid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephtalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allyl-catechol, 4-acetyl catechol, 2-methoxy-phenol,2-ethoxy-phenol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, benzylamine,1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane,tert-butyl-hydroxy-anyline, p-hydroxy anyline as well asn-propyl-gallate. Highly preferred for use herein are di-tert-butylhydroxy toluene, which is for example commercially available from SHELLunder the trade name IONOL CP® and/or tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole. Theseradical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the hydrogenperoxide-containing compositions herein.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 5% by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.001% to 1.5% by weight and morepreferably from 0.01% to 1%.

The compositions herein may comprise as a preferred optional ingredienta solvent or mixtures thereof. When used, solvents will, advantageously,give an enhanced cleaning to the compositions herein. Suitable solventsfor incorporation in the compositions according to the present inventioninclude propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol orn-butoxypropoxypropanol, water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents orwater-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents. Water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents arecompounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class wherein the alkoxygroup is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl. A preferred water-solublecarbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol also known as butyl carbitol.Water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents are compounds of the2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred.Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropylalcohol and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixture thereof. Preferred solventsfor use herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol® and mixturesthereof. Most preferred solvents for use herein are butyl carbitol®,benzyl alcohol and isopropanol.

The solvents may typically be present within the compositions of theinvention at a level up to 15% by weight, preferably from 2% to 7% byweight of the composition.

The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optionalingredients such as buffers (e.g. borate buffers), builders,stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents,brighteners, perfumes, anti dusting agents, enzymes, dispersant, dyetransfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes and dyes.

Packaging form of the compositions:

The compositions herein may be packaged in a variety of suitabledetergent packaging known to those skilled in the art. The liquidcompositions herein may desirably be packaged in manually operated spraydispensing containers, which are usually made of synthetic organicpolymeric plastic materials. Accordingly, the present invention alsoencompasses liquid disinfecting compositions comprising hydrogenperoxide and an antimicrobial essential oil packaged in a spraydispenser, preferably in a trigger spray dispenser or pump spraydispenser.

Indeed, said spray-type dispensers allow to uniformly apply to arelatively large area of a surface to be disinfected the liquiddisinfecting compositions suitable to be used according to the presentinvention, thereby contributing to disinfection properties of saidcompositions. Such spray-type dispensers are particularly suitable todisinfect vertical surfaces.

Suitable spray-type dispensers to be used according to the presentinvention include manually operated foam trigger-type dispensers soldfor example by Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. or ContinentalSprayers, Inc. These types of dispensers are disclosed, for instance, inU.S. Pat. No. 4,701,311 to Dunnining et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,973and U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,745 both to Focarracci. Particularly preferredto be used herein are spray-type dispensers such as T 8500® or T8900®commercially available from Continental Spray International, or T8100® commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In such adispenser the liquid composition is divided in fine liquid dropletsresulting in a spray that is directed onto the surface to be treated.Indeed, in such a spray-type dispenser the composition contained in thebody of said dispenser is directed through the spray-type dispenser headvia energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said useractivates said pumping mechanism. More particularly, in said spray-typedispenser head the composition is forced against an obstacle, e.g. agrid or a cone or the like, thereby providing shocks to help atomise theliquid composition, i.e. to help the formation of liquid droplets.

The compositions of the present invention may also be executed in theform of wipes. By "wipes" it is meant herein disposable towelsimpregnated with a liquid composition according to the presentinvention. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses wipes,e.g. disposable paper towels, impregnated with a liquid compositionaccording to the present invention. In the preferred execution saidwipes are wetted with said liquid compositions. Preferably said wipesare packaged in a plastic box. The advantage of this execution is afaster usage of a disinfecting composition by the user, this evenoutside the house, i.e. there is no need to pour the liquid compositionsaccording to the present invention on the surfaces to betreated/disinfect and to dry it out with a cloth. In other words, wipesallow disinfection of surfaces in one step.

The Process of disinfecting:

The present invention encompasses a process for disinfecting surfaceswherein a composition according to the present invention is applied ontosaid surfaces.

By "surface" it is meant herein any surface including animate surfacelike human skin, mouth, teeth, and inanimate surfaces. Inanimatesurfaces include, but are not limited to, hard-surfaces typically foundin houses like kitchens, bathrooms, or in car interiors, e.g., tiles,walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plastifiedwood, table top, sinks, cooker tops, dishes, sanitary fittings such assinks, showers, shower curtains, wash basins, WCs and the like, as wellas fabrics including clothes, curtains, drapes, bed linens, bath linens,table cloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture and the like,and carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliancesincluding, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washingmachines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and soon.

In the process of disinfecting surfaces according to the presentinvention said compositions may be applied to the surface to bedisinfected in its neat form or in its diluted form.

By "diluted form" it is meant herein that the compositions to be used inthe disinfection process herein being either in a liquid or solid formmay be diluted by the user typically up to 100 times their weight ofwater, preferably into 80 to 30 times their weight of water, and morepreferably 60 to 40 times.

In the preferred embodiment of the process of the present inventionwherein said composition is applied to a hard-surface to be disinfectedin its diluted form, it is not necessary to rinse the surface after thecomposition has been applied, indeed no visible residues are left ontothe surface.

The present invention will be further illustrated by the followingexamples.

EXAMPLES

The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients inthe listed proportions (weight % unless otherwise specified). Thesecompositions passed the prEN 1040 test of the European committee ofstandardisation. These compositions provide excellent disinfection whenused neat or diluted, e.g. at 1:100, 1:25, 1:50 dilution levels, onclean surfaces while delivering also excellent surface safety and skinmildness.

    ______________________________________                                                  Compositions                                                                    I      II      III  IV    V     VI                                ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                         7.0    6.0     6.0  6.0   2.0   7.0                               Thyme oil   0.5    --      --   0.5   --    0.5                               Clove oil   --     1.0     --   --    0.1   0.5                               Geranium oil                                                                              0.5            --   --    --    --                                Eucalyptus oil                                                                            --     --      1.0  --    --    0.5                               Water and minors                                                                          up to 100%                                                        H2SO4 up to pH4                                                               ______________________________________                                                    VII    VIII    IX   X                                             ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                         7.0    6.0     1.0  2.0                                           Thyme oil   --     0.5     --   --                                            Clove oil/eucalyptus                                                          oil (1:1)   1.0    --      0.5  0.05                                          Geranium oil                                                                              --     0.5     --   --                                            Water and minors                                                                          up to 100%                                                        H2SO4 up to pH 4                                                              ______________________________________                                                    XI     XII     XIII XIV   XV                                      ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                         7.0    6.0     1.0  2.0   1.0                                     C10 alkyl sulfate                                                                         3.0    4.0     --   1.5   --                                      C10 Amine Oxide                                                                           1.5    --      1.5  --    0.9                                     Lauryl betaine                                                                            --     --      --   --    0.05                                    Thyme oil   --     0.5     --   --    0.03                                    Eucalyptus oil                                                                            --     --      --   --    0.02                                    Clove oil/eucalyptus                                                                      1.0    --      0.5   0.05 --                                      oil (1:1)                                                                     Geranium oil                                                                              --     0.5     --   --    --                                      Water and minors                                                                          up to 100%                                                        H2SO4 up to pH4                                                               ______________________________________                                    

What is claimed is:
 1. A disinfecting composition comprisingi) hydrogenperoxide in an amount of 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition;ii) an antimicrobial essential oil; and iii) a surfactant; wherein saidsurfactant is amphoteric corresponding to formula: ##STR3## wherein R1is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein R2 andR3 contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms wherein n is an integer from 1 to10, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonylradicals andwherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3 radicals is from about 14to about 24 carbon atoms; or

    b. R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 NO

wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated linear orbranched hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, andwherein R2 R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear orbranched hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 2. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said composition furthercomprises another antimicrobial ingredient selected from the groupconsisting of glutaraldehyde, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, methylparaben and mixtures thereof.
 3. A composition according to claim 1wherein said composition further comprises a chelating agent selectedfrom the group consisting of phosphonate chelating agents,aminophosphonate chelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelatingagents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally-substitutedaromatic chelating agents, ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, andmixtures thereof.
 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition further comprises at least an optional ingredient selectedfrom the group consisting of radical scavengers, solvents, buffers,builders, stabilizers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transferagents, perfumes, anti dusting agents, enzymes, dispersant, dye transferinhibitors, pigments, dyes and mixtures thereof.
 5. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein said composition is a liquid compositionhaving a pH of no more than
 12. 6. A wipe impregnated with adisinfecting composition according to claim
 5. 7. A disinfectingcomposition according to claim 5, packaged in a spray dispenser.
 8. Amethod for disinfection of gram negative and/or gram positive bacteriain the mouth by contacting the oral surface using the compositionaccording to claim
 3. 9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidhydrogen peroxide is from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 10. A composition according to claim 9 wherein saidantimicrobial essential oil is selected from the group consisting ofthyme oil, lemongrass oil, citrus oil, lemon oil, orange oil, anise oil,clove oil, aniseed oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, rose oil, lavenderoil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, mint oil, camphoroil, sandalwood oil, cedar oil, rosmarin oil, pine oil, vervain oil,fleagrass oil, ratanhiae oil and mixtures thereof.
 11. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises saidantimicrobial essential oil in an amount of at least 0.003% by weight ofthe total composition.
 12. A composition according to claim 11 fordisinfecting the mouth wherein said antimicrobial essential oil isselected from the group consisting of thyme oil, clove oil, geraniumoil, rose oil, eucalyptus oil, and mixtures thereof.
 13. A compositionaccording to claim 12 wherein said composition comprises saidantimicrobial essestial oil in an amount of from about 0.005% to 2.0% byweight of the total composition.
 14. A composition according to claim 13wherein said antimicrobial essential oil is selected from the groupconsisting of clove oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil, and mixturesthereof.
 15. A composition according to claim 14 wherein theantimicrobial essential oils are individually from about 0.05% to about1% by weight of the total composition.
 16. A process of disinfecting asurface wherein a composition according to claim 13, is applied ontosaid surface.
 17. A process according to claim 16 wherein saidcomposition is applied onto said surface after having been diluted up to100 times its weight of water.